How long have you been writing music?
Justin Lewis: Since high school. My first band was called "The Florida Recount", and it was as silly as it sounds.
What are your influences? Who or what inspires you?
Justin: I have a wide range of what has musically influenced me...Propagandi, The Mike Patton projects, Greg Graffin (of Bad Religion), Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, and The Residents...to name a few.
What can you tell me about your album "Harbinger"?
Justin: "Harbinger" was the only album from my previous band Basstronaut. I really enjoyed the project, and it's some of my personal favorite writing. The topics all revolve around self-awareness, propaganda, and resisting the cynicism of modern society.
What is your creative process like? What tools or methods do you use to write your songs?
Justin: Song lyrics either come all at once in a flood (sometimes I have to pull over and write), and sometimes they have to be wrenched free. There's a lot of "oh shit, that's how it goes".
How long have you considered yourself a libertarian?
Justin: About thirteen years or so. I first heard the term "libertarian" back in the 00's, but I was still young and dumb enough to have gotten most of my politics from Rage Against The Machine and The Dead Kennedys. It wasn't until my little brother pointed me towards Adam Kokesh that I started the "libertarian mind-melt". From Kokesh I found Tom Woods and Michael Malice (who is probably my favorite person on the planet). I don't actually consider myself a libertarian. Like Malice, I consider myself to be an "anarchist without superlatives".
All of my creative efforts are aligned towards the same purpose: to make anti-state propaganda that explains to people (in the words of Kokesh) "we are all free, beautiful, independent beings capable of voluntary interactions free of coercion"
What do you think the role of art should be in the libertarian movement?
Justin: The same role it has in any movement: to inspire, unite, and give it a voice.
Are you working on new music?
Justin: Always. I'm currently working on a new album with "Falling Colossus". We're working on tracking now, and it should be out in few months. I've also got some electronic music planned out, and I DJ frequently under the name Common Criminal.
Where can people go to listen to your music?
Justin: "Harbinger" from Basstronaut can be streamed on all major music platforms.
Falling Colossus is on all streaming platforms, and we'll be playing in Chattanooga, Tennessee at The Dark Roast on February 17th with Late Night Rage and The Slow Attack!
I also have a monthly bass show the second Saturday of every month at The Dark Roast called HEAVY AF! It's all things HEAVY BASS...140/dark/deep dubstep, DnB, UK Funky, Breaks, Club Bass...etc
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